Tag: secondary

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Dystopian Novels: A Twisted Take on Reality

Teenagers typically either love to read or really don’t like it at all. A few will tolerate it. For the ones who really don’t enjoy reading all that much, it can sometimes be a struggle to find something that they will enjoy reading, and that will hold their attention for longer than a chapter. Finding a genre that they like can also be tricky. Thankfully, there are a multitude of genre and book options for today’s teens to pick from. One of the most popular genres among today’s youth is dystopian literature– stories that depict societies under terrifying, warped, or otherwise abnormal circumstances. Characters are typically victims of dehumanization, extreme control, and/or nightmarish environmental disasters. 

Main characters in dystopian novels are typically normal teenagers who must face abnormal circumstances. Today’s teens are drawn to that struggle. Dystopian literature has made a recent surge in popularity, providing teens with many options of books to read. Below are a few of my favorites– feel free to share them with students who need a good book to read!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent is book 1 in a series of books set in a futuristic Chicago, in a society that is divided into five factions. Each faction specializes in certain talents, abilities, or aptitudes. The series follows Beatrice Prior (Tris) as she finds out that she doesn’t fit into any of the factions, and is then labeled as “divergent”. Having a label like this is a dangerous secret. Tris discovers a plan to overthrow the government, leading to self-discovery, a little romance, and a whole lot of rebellion.

  • Recommended for ages 12+

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Shusterman explores a darker side of dystopian literature in this series of phenomenal books. The story is set in a futuristic America where parents can choose to have their children “unwound” between the ages of 13 and 18. Unwinding essentially means that their bodies are taken apart, piece by piece, with the parts/organs then being used for transplants, all while the teens are still conscious, and was instituted as a way to get around abortion. The series follows Connor, Risa, and Lev as they attempt to run from being unwound, risking their lives and freedom to fight for their right to live.

  • Recommended for ages 14+, as there are some graphic scenes and darker issues addressed.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen is a teen in the city of Panem, a city that requires teenagers to be part of a “reaping” that selects teens to fight to the death. When Katniss’s little sister is chosen in the reaping, Katniss volunteers as tribute and takes her sister’s place. She must then enter the Arena where she will fight against 11 other tributes, hoping to come out the winner. The series explores humanity, survival, and standing up for what is right against a cruel government.

  • Recommended for ages 12+

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Jonas was born into a society that believes that individuality is wrong, pain and suffering are not allowed, love does not exist, memories of the past are to be held by only one person– the Receiver, and citizens cannot choose or think for themselves. When children become an eleven, they are given a job that they will have for the remainder of their lives. Jonas is chosen to be the new Receiver, meaning he will be the one to hold all memories from the past– memories of pain, war, color, sadness, weather, and so on. As he receives these memories, his eyes are opened and he realizes just how wrong his society is. He must decide if he will continue his training or attempt to escape and find a normal life.

  • Recommended for ages 11+

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Guy Montag is a firefighter, and is one of several who have been tasked with collecting and burning books. Fearing citizens will become too knowledgeable, the government bans all books and requires that they all be burned. Guy begins to see through their plan and starts to question his role in the destruction of books. This story is set in a futuristic America and explores topics like censorship, conformity, and the problems that can come from a society that heavily relies on media. 


  • Recommended for ages 15+

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

In the first book of the series, The Maze Runner follows Thomas, a teenager who finds himself in a tricky spot. Thomas wakes up trapped in a giant maze, with no memory of how he got there. He and several other teens must find their way out of this maze. But it’s no ordinary maze– it’s constantly changing, is filled with dangerous creatures called Grievers, and is constantly monitored by a shady group called WICKED. Thomas and the others must find a way to survive, escape, and uncover the truth about the powers that be.

  • Recommended for ages 12+

I know I didn’t cover all of the popular dystopian books out there; I’d be writing for days if I did that! There are so many good dystopian books available for teens (and adults), and there’s no way I could possibly even begin to highlight all of them. Dystopian novels are fun to read and offer many opportunities for deep thinking and reflection, often bringing up issues that our own societies face today. If you’ve got a student or two looking for a new book to read, have them give one of these a try– they just may find a new genre or book they love!

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Scholarship Cover Letters: Some Tips and Tricks

My niece is a junior in high school, and is already starting to look into scholarship opportunities, college applications, and so on. A few days ago, she asked me if I could help her with scholarship cover letters. I jumped at the chance to help her. She wasn’t sure where to even start, so we set out to create a basic outline that she could use as she moves forward with applications. 

It got me thinking, though: how many other college-bound high school students are in her same boat? How many of these bright young people want to apply for scholarships, but don’t know where to start or how to format such a letter? I’m sure there are enough in this position that it would be helpful if English teachers could include in their curriculum a short unit teaching students how to properly write a scholarship cover letter. It wouldn’t need to take up too many class periods, but it would be very helpful to those needing the assistance. 

While I can’t be in every English classroom teaching this, I can write about it on the Internet for all to have access to! Each scholarship application will be different, and not all will require a cover letter. Additionally, not all that do require a cover letter will require the same content. Be sure to carefully read over the requirements for each scholarship as you begin the application process. 

That being said, a general outline could look something like this:

Your name, address, and contact information

Name, address, and contact information for the scholarship committee

Date

Dear Scholarship Board (or name of a specific person if it is listed),

Gratitude for the opportunity to apply

I appreciate the opportunity to apply for the ___________________ scholarship. I am interested in this scholarship because __________________________.

What qualifies you for this scholarship? What sets you apart from other applicants?

  • This will vary depending on the kind of scholarship you are applying for.
  • Academic scholarships: highlight your academic achievements, grades, awards, GPA, and so on.
  • Athletic scholarships: showcase your athletic abilities, awards, records set, and so on. 
  • Specific niche scholarships: identify what specifically you offer in regards to the kind of scholarship you are applying for. 

Why would this scholarship benefit you?

  • Will this ease the financial burden that paying for college can be?
  • Will this allow you to focus more on your studies rather than worrying about how to pay for school?
  • Will these funds allow you to pursue a degree in a meaningful and impactful field?

Closing

  • Re-express your gratitude for the chance to apply.
  • Express that you are looking forward to hearing from the committee soon.

Best Regards,

Your Name

A scholarship cover letter doesn’t need to be super fancy, and it doesn’t need to go into every single detail telling about how you qualify for the scholarship, but it should be well written, well thought out, and clear and concise. You want to make a good impression with your cover letter, as that is usually the first thing the committee will see when reviewing your application. Take your time, think it out, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

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It Takes A Village

“It takes a village” is a common saying amongst parents who are referring to the many people who, in one way or another, help raise or care for their children. I love that the word “village” is used rather than “city”– “village” has such a different feel and connotation than “city”. When I think of a village, I think of a very close-knit community, full of people looking out for one another, caring for each other, and helping each other. Thoughts of a city bring to mind lots of movement, people going about their own business, every man for himself, and lots of chaos and noise. A village is a much more welcoming idea.

While parents are typically the ones known for using this common saying, the idea can absolutely be applied to schools as well. I mean, just imagine what would happen if one single person was running the show at a school! It would be nearly impossible for one person to be principal, secretary, lunchroom worker, custodian, aide, librarian, and teacher. The thought alone makes my head spin. 

Rather than placing the load on one person, the work and responsibility is spread out, with each person having their own area of responsibility. The school truly becomes a village as the staff work together to make sure the students have the best experience possible. They all have the students’ best interests in mind, are willing to jump in and help however they can, and are truly looking out for each other. 

Within a school, there are many hands to make this village run smoothly and effectively. In no particular order, some of those are:

  • Aides/Technicians/Paraprofessionals: These amazing individuals often work behind the scenes, making student and teacher life easier. They pull students for remediation, administer tests, reteach concepts, make copies, grade papers, and more. 
  • Speech Therapists/OT Therapists/SPED technicians/Other Therapists: They are constantly helping students reach their IEP goals, make progress, all while helping students gain confidence and pride in themselves!
  • Custodians: Where would we be without them?! From keeping the school clean, mowing the playground grass, shoveling walks after a snow storm, fixing things that break, and so much more, these guys and gals do so much for schools.
  • Food Service Staff: Making sure no student goes hungry, these people work tirelessly to ensure that there are enough hot meals prepped and ready for hungry bellies come lunch time. 
  • Specialist Teachers– art, music, library, PE, computers, etc.: Not only do these teachers get to do a lot of the “fun” stuff, they also help teachers by taking classes for a bit so that those teachers can plan, grade, and prepare. Specialist teachers also teach important skills that often get neglected within mainstream classrooms.
  • School Counselors: These amazing school staff members make sure that students have access to the tools and resources they need to successfully manage and navigate emotions, hard things, and frustration. They offer a listening ear, sound words of advice, and a safe place for students to land.
  • Secretaries: Another essential part of a school’s structure, secretaries handle all the “business” of the school. They take and make phone calls, track attendance, handle financial matters, and keep things running smoothly overall. They are usually the first people school visitors and parents see when they come to the school, and are there to offer a smiling face to all who come to the building.
  • Administration: Principals and vice-principals often take on the harder assignments– disciplining students, making hard phone calls to parents, managing staff member issues, and so forth. But, on the flip side, they get the chance to interact with all of the amazing students and staff at their school. They work tirelessly for their staff and students, and are constantly on the go.
  • Teachers: Where would we be without teachers? Day in and day out, they are there, ready to instruct, ready to love, and ready to take on the exhausting work that is teaching. They spend countless hours preparing lessons and activities. Their days are spent cheering their students on, managing tricky student behaviors, teaching and reteaching concepts, comforting sad students, redirecting, and so much more. Their jobs are often thankless, but the work they do is crucial. 

The next time you’re at your child’s school, be sure to take a minute and thank the village members helping to teach, nurture, and guide your child. Or, the next time you are at work, go out of your way to thank the other people in your village for the ways they help you with your students. It truly does take a village, and the village only becomes stronger as the people support and appreciate each other.

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1, 2, 3! Eyes on Me!

Today I got to help with three class Valentine’s parties. Yes, three. First, third, and fourth grades. I spent three hours at the school this afternoon, and let me tell you: my respect for elementary school teachers grew even more. But man, those kids are cute and so much fun!

While I was in each classroom, I noticed each teacher’s attention grabber– the quick little saying or line they’d call out to get their class back on track. They were all so different, but all achieved the same result. In fourth grade, I heard the teacher say, “Shark bait!”, and the class would respond with, “Ooo haha!” It worked like a charm. The third grade teacher counted down from five, and once she reached one, all the students chimed, “Thumbs up, arms folded!” In first grade, the teacher rang a quiet little bell, and all students knew that meant to stop what they were doing and stop talking. The last time I was in the kindergarten classroom, the teacher quietly said, “If you can hear me, touch your nose… ears… head, etc.”. 

In all of these situations, I was amazed at how quickly the students responded to the cue. They had been well trained to know what the expectations were, and what they needed to do to meet them. I thought back to my time in the classroom, and wondered if I would have done or said anything differently. I think I probably would have tried something a little more exciting than just counting down from five, but at the time, that worked for me.

There are countless ways to get the attention of your class. Regardless of how you choose to get their attention, one thing is the same across the board: you have to train your class what the cue is and what the expectation is. If you do that, you are setting yourself up for success. Here are a few other attention grabbers I have heard:

  • Teacher: One, two three! Eyes on me! Students: One, two, eyes on you!
  • Teacher: Hocus pocus! Students: Everybody focus!
  • Teacher: Holy moly! Students: Guacamole!
  • Teacher: All set? Students: You bet!
  • Teacher: Flat tire! Students: Shhhhh!
  • Teacher: Mac and cheese! Students: Everybody freeze!
  • Teacher: Hear ye! Hear ye! Students: All hail the queen/king!
  • Teacher: Are you ready kids? Students: Aye, aye, captain!
  • Teacher: To infinity! Students: And beyond!
  • Teacher: One, two! Students: Peek-a-boo!
  • Teacher: Ready to rock? Students: Ready to roll!
  • Teacher: Chicka-chicka! Students: Boom boom!
  • Teacher: Scooby dooby do. Students: Where are you?
  • Teacher: Marco! Students: Polo!
  • Teacher: Eenie meeny. Students: Miney mo!
  • Teacher: Red Robin! Students: Yummmm!

Non-verbal cues can also work well! Ringing a bell, shaking a noise maker, or giving a hand signal can all be effective in getting your class back on track. 

What are your favorite ways to get your class focused and ready to learn?

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A Method to the Madness

Imagine for a minute that you are in a chemistry class. You’re learning about endothermic and exothermic reactions, and your assignment is to conduct an experiment with the end result being one of those two reactions. Rather than showing you how to do it, your teacher stands at the front of the room and delivers a lecture to the class about which elements will react when combined. Not really that exciting and engaging, right? 

There are so many things to learn about, and so many ways to teach them. Sure, a chemistry teacher could lecture about reactions, but actually showing the class how to perform the experiments would be much more effective. Similarly, a history teacher could go through a slide show of information about the Civil War, but there might be other ways to teach that same material that would create a longer lasting impact on the students. 

Students learn in so many different ways, so it makes sense that teachers need to teach material using many different methods. The methods used will vary from subject to subject, and even will vary within each subject depending on what exactly is being taught, as some topics lend themselves to one particular method over another. 

With so many methods to choose from, how is a teacher supposed to pick which one(s) to use?! In order to choose the best one, it might be helpful to know what exactly each method is, and what kinds of content it might be best suited for. 

Lecture Based

In this method, the teacher provides a large amount of information by delivering a lecture to the class. While not always engaging, it can be an effective way to get a lot of information out. This method is often used to introduce a new topic or provide background knowledge before taking a deeper dive into a topic. The use of visual aids, stories, jokes, and questions can help keep students engaged. 

Inquiry Based

Inquiry based teaching is the practice of allowing students to come up with questions, then explore various resources to find the answers to those questions. Students can conduct research, collect data, and gather evidence to support their inquiries. This type of teaching is typically most effective in science classes as well as history classes.

Technology Based

Technology based teaching is just as it sounds– teaching using technology, and allowing students to use technology to learn and explore topics. This can be incorporated into nearly any subject, and can be very beneficial to students. Devices such as computers, tablets, online programs, or even smart phones can provide students with a wide base of resources with which to learn.

Group Based

In group based teaching, the teacher provides the background knowledge, then has students work together in groups to learn more, conduct research, conduct experiments, gather data, and so on. This approach promotes cooperation and communication among students. Teachers become facilitators in this method. They are there to help students as needed, but a large portion of what is learned is done as students work together. 

Game Based

Gamification has recently become quite a popular way to teach. It’s engaging, fun, and can be used for nearly any subject. Students usually associate games with fun, so when teachers turn learning into a game type format, the brain automatically sees the activity as more enticing. There are so many online options for game based teaching. In addition to creating their own educational games, teachers can pick from several online gamification platforms to create fun, educational games for their students. Websites like Kahoot!, Quizizz, Blooket, Gimkit, and Quizlet Live are all excellent resources available to teachers. 

Individual Based

In this method, the teacher provides the content, but students become the main facilitator in their own learning. They become responsible for how and where they learn, which creates a sense of ownership. This can lead to greater confidence and deeper learning. 

Hands-On Learning

This method gives students a chance to really get into the content and experience it with their senses. Hands-on learning experiences have been shown to make a more lasting impact on student brains than lectures alone. When a student can experiment, ask questions, and form a physical product based on what has been learned, the information is much more likely to be retained. 

There are many methods teachers can use to deliver information to their students, and there truly isn’t a right or wrong way to teach material. There are certainly some methods that are more effective for some subjects than they are for others, but any teacher can use any of these teaching methods and still get results. Good teachers also don’t just stick to one type of teaching; they change their method based on what is best for the information they are going to teach, and what is best for their students. Don’t be afraid to try new teaching methods– you might be pleasantly surprised that you really enjoy one you haven’t tried. However you decide to teach though, make sure you do it with your students’ best interests in mind, and you will see your students succeed!

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Chasing Lincoln’s Killer: A Great Read for Teens

Eighth graders often get the short end of the stick– they aren’t the “newbies” at the school, but they aren’t the “olders” either. I suppose they are the middle children of junior high. But here’s the thing, they are so much fun. Of all the grades I taught, eighth grade was my favorite. Because they weren’t the newbies, they were a little more confident, a little more mature, and because they weren’t the olders, they typically didn’t have a “better than thou” attitude that sometimes comes with being the oldest in the school. 

They were in the sweet spot of still kind of holding onto childhood, but ready to tackle deeper thinking and issues. This made it fun to choose the books we read for our class novel studies. We’d typically read a couple of non-fiction books together, one of which was Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James Swanson. 

The book details the 12-day manhunt for John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. It’s full of action, and is told in a story-like format, which makes it more enticing to junior high students. It’s also fairly short– only 208 pages. Its 14 chapters contain photos and documents from the time period and chase, letting the kids really get a feel for what the people and places looked like at the time. They can immerse themselves into the story and learn new things while they do so. 

If you’re interested in teaching this book to your classes, but just don’t know where to start, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. Below you will find a couple of resources you are welcome to print off and use to help students stay organized as they read the book. There are lots of events and people in the book, and these resources will help your students keep track of the who, what, when, where, and why of the book.

**These resources are for classroom or personal use only. They may not be resold, reposted, or claimed as your own.**

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer Key PlayersDownload
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer TimelineDownload
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Strategy Plan Deadline

It might feel like Spring is a long way off, but it will be here before we know it! I always look forward to Spring– the warmer temperatures, blossoms on trees, and flowers in bloom. Spring also brings us closer to our Build A Better Future Scholarship application deadline!

This is a reminder to all graduating seniors who are planning to apply for our scholarship. We offer the chance to get feedback on your project prior to the final application submission. Applicants can fill out an OPTIONAL Strategy Plan where they can tell a bit about their project and process and ask any questions they might have.

This is not required, and does not at all influence our decision when it comes time to choose the scholarship winners. It is simply an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and get feedback should they need it.

You can find the form here, and the deadline for this form is due March 9, 2026.